This workshop aims to help participants tap into the rich, flexible, and motivating resources of picturebooks to enhance Chinese Language teaching. A picture book generates meaning through both pictures and words. In this workshop, participants will learn to understand and appreciate the various relationships between pictures and words that work together to create meaning. Participants will also learn various ways in which picturebooks can be integrated into the curriculum to make the teaching and learning of the Chinese Language more authentic and fun. Practical examples would be shared on how fun-filled activities were designed along with the use of picturebooks to enthuse and reinforce learning.

Date: 30 June 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000528 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

To develop students’ interests and skills in Chinese Language composition writing, teachers implemented a blended approach, From Talking to Writing, to scaffold the writing process using the Student Learning Space (SLS) platform. 

Strategies such as story re-telling and role playing were used to help students generate ideas and make their thinking visible. Therefore, students became more confident in their writing and also engaged in peer learning. In addition, the affordances of SLS allowed for differentiated learning and process learning to take place. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how they could adapt this blended approach for use in their classrooms.

Date: 6 July 2023 (Thu)

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face workshop

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000526 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

This workshop will showcase how facilitators tapped Quizlet Live to engage students in the learning of Chinese vocabulary. Quizlet Live is a tool that can promote self-directed learning and cooperative learning through gamification. This workshop will focus on the learning journey of how facilitators used Quizlet Live to achieve two objectives: firstly, to encourage Self-Directed Learning of Chinese vocabulary using Quizlet Live, and secondly, to create classroom game-based ICT activities for students that encourage cooperative learning, in order to make the learning of Chinese vocabulary more engaging, joyful and effective for students. 

Date: 14 July 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face workshop

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000516 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

As teachers teaching reading comprehension at the primary level, it is important to inspire students to read closely and to think deeply about the text, to make information meaningful and relevant. As a visual thinking routine, the ICEBerg model guides students to analyse the text independently and make links between the information in the text. At the same time, it also allows students to consciously use surface information to infer hidden, deep information. Participants will take away ideas of how they could adapt the ICEBerg model for use in their own reading comprehension classrooms.

Date: 20 July 2023 (Thu)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000514 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

With shifts in the mode, speed, and span of learning, our teaching methods must therefore change. Inquiry-based Learning (IBL) is not only a T&L approach confined to Science subjects. In Fuhua Primary School, we explored using IBL in Chinese classrooms as a new pedagogical approach and it provides a new lens to perceive Chinese learning. Through IBL, Chinese language learning is no longer rote learning. It is a more authentic and student-driven learning process. In this workshop, participants will learn the theoretical underpinnings, design stages, and classroom practice of inquiry-based learning in the teaching and learning of the Chinese Language.

Date: 1 August 2023 (Tue)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000511 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

For teachers who want to groom their students to be self-directed learners and engage them in independent and collaborative learning, it is important to consciously design student-centred activities in their daily lesson delivery. Since many teachers predominantly use Microsoft Powerpoint (PPT) slides as teaching resources, the ClassPoint (whitelisted by MOE) is a powerful PPT Add-in because it can transform ordinary PPT slides into real-time interactive quizzes, collaborative learning activities and assessments for learning within minutes. Participants will be able to engage in hands-on experiences and take away ideas on how they could adapt ClassPoint for use in their classrooms to create active learning opportunities for their students. 

Date: 18 August 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000510 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

Some students asked why they always get the same reward stickers such as Good job, Awesome, Keep trying harder, and so on from primary one to primary six. To rich the content of stickers, we innovatively made a connection between Idiom and reward system, created idioms reward booklets with stickers 《成语树屋》, and encouraged students to create their booklet 《成语画中话》 to showcase what they have learned. Beyond understanding this project, you will also know how to use the connect to the dots strategy to solve problems innovatively in teaching. 

Date: 29 August 2023 (Tue)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000509 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

For the lower primary students, listening and speaking are key skills for Chinese Language learning.  The project team believes that experiential learning experiences in the Chinese Language classroom where students learn by doing will engage them and build their motivation to learn.  This ensures a strong foundation in listening and speaking that drives students’ interest in reading and writing, and ultimately, enhances their overall language competency. Participants of this workshop will learn the benefits of experiential learning, how to incorporate experiential learning in the Lower Primary Chinese Language classroom, and how alternative assessments can be used to guide lesson design and inform teachers of students’ attainment of learning outcomes at the lower primary level. 

Date: 12 September 2023 (Tue)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000505 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

Based on Babanski's Optimization of Teaching and Tomlinson's Differentiated Instruction, the project team made good use of ICT tools such as Seesaw and SLS to design a writing lesson. In order to meet the diverse learning needs of all students to maximise their progress in learning, the team used the ICT platforms to differentiate content and process based on the students' readiness and learning profiles.

Date: 15 September 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000506 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

This workshop demonstrates the metacognitive strategy-based teaching model in listening and speaking. The teaching model requires a lesson to be divided into three parts: pre-lesson, while-lesson, and post-lesson. Pre-lesson is the preparation and planning stage whereby a teacher designs online activities in the Student Learning Space (SLS) to strengthen their students’ metacognitive awareness in order to increase their application of metacognitive strategies. During an in-class-lesson, the teacher is to guide the students to apply metacognitive strategies into practice. Post-lesson is to help students consolidate the knowledge newly gained and self-monitor their progress. This workshop allows the participants to discuss the construction of the metacognitive strategy-based teaching model, and share some practical examples and tips to teach listening and speaking.

Date: 3 March 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000530 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

Language learning is enhanced by consistent interactions with the usage of language. To develop the learners’ oral skills and critical thinking through teacher-student interactions, teachers learn how to engage learners using various Making Thinking Visible (MTV) routines, e.g. Give one Get one, Take note, The 3Y’s and The 4 If’s so as to enhance their students’ thinking and learning. By practising various MTV routines and establishing the six powers of MTV, students will be able to engage with others, engage with ideas and engage in action. Therefore, participants will be able to take away ideas on how they could apply these strategies when teaching e-oral conversation.

Date: 10 March 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000527 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

With shifts in the educational landscape, it has become increasingly important for the curriculum not to only center on disciplinary content knowledge (core concepts). The learning model demands our students to question, plan, interpret and construct as they come to recognise the concept of patterns, relationships, and systems so as to be able to fully apply their interdisciplinary thinking. Therefore, performance tasks should be planned for in order to broaden the focus of teaching and learning through the student's application of knowledge. In this workshop, participants will learn the theoretical underpinnings, and design stages of performance tasks in the teaching and learning of the Chinese Language, as well as the use of assessment data to inform instructional practice.

Date: 24 March 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000524 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

In today’s context, beyond focussing on the lesson objectives, teaching must include different models and methods to meet the diverse learning needs of our students in learning Mother Tongue languages. Facilitating differentiated learning has become increasingly important to engage our students, enhance their learning process and enrich their learning experiences. By harnessing the ICT tools such as SLS, the project team applied differentiated instruction in 4 areas (content, process, product and environment) in teaching Chinese Language comprehension, while infusing the game element in the lesson to provide instructions and increase the students’ motivation and engagement.

Date: 31 March 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000523 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

A project was conducted across two levels, Primary 3 and 4, to study how to encourage the learning of Chinese Language in an authentic setting, using an Online 3D  virtual reality (VR) environment (CoSpaces Edu). The team of teachers at each level was involved in the planning, delivery and review of the lessons, based on the considerations of the students’ profiles, the design of the VR environment, as well as classroom management and learning strategies. From the reflections by the teachers and feedback from the students, it is found that the VR lessons were engaging and helped in mid- to long-term memory retention. By using the Chinese Language in real-life contexts, students found purpose and interest in learning the subject. Teachers also developed further in their understanding of using VR in teaching Mother Tongue languages as well as in the provision of better instructions and classroom management using ICT. The facilitators will also invite all participants who are interested in using VR in lessons to join them in exploring other topics.

Date: 14 April 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000522 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

One of the most challenging teaching tasks for a Chinese teacher is how to boost students’ literacy in the Chinese language, especially in vocabulary, sentence structures, comprehension, and composition skills. A researcher (Kavitha Prabhakaran,2018) found that reading enhances our memory, helps to boost our analytical thinking, and expands our vocabulary. That means the more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping readers understand and learn different writing styles. Thus, CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) Chinese department designed the Aces Reader Programme to promote reading culture in school. Through the design of the programme, students cultivate self-directedness in learning and learning for life. After sharing, participants would be able to know how to make use of the Aces Reader Programme to promote reading and be shown samples of resources, specially designed badges, reading passports and certificates etc.

Date: 21 April 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000519 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here. 

Students usually need scaffolding in speaking and in reading comprehension. The curriculum design explores the use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and e-Pedagogy in the Primary Chinese Language classes to provide students with learning experiences that are more in line with their individual needs. Guidelines of UDL are used in the design to help students actively participate in both oral and reading comprehension lessons. Students are allowed to choose the resources to understand the vocabulary and sentences used in the oral lesson. Students are allowed to present their understanding in different forms based on their own abilities and interests in the reading comprehension lessons.

Date: 28 April 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CLI-000515 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.